Feds probing alleged mad cow cover-up

http://www.upi.com/view.cfm?StoryID=20050429-020831-9428r



Federal investigators are looking into allegations by a former U.S. Agriculture Department inspector that the agency sought to cover up cases of mad cow disease, United Press International has learned.

Lester Friedlander, a former USDA veterinarian, told UPI he was questioned recently by two representatives from the USDA's Office of Inspector General who were investigating statements he made before Canada's Parliament in April.

"I told them I think there's a cover-up," said Friedlander, a 10-year veteran of the USDA who received official praise and recognition for outstanding performance during his tenure with the agency.

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Friedlander's claims include that a USDA official told him in 1991 not to say anything if he ever discovered a case of mad cow disease, and that he knew of cows that had tested positive at private laboratories but were ruled negative by the USDA.
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the last sentence of the article goes like this:

The USDA plans to scale back its BSE testing program in 2006. Its proposed mad cow testing budget for fiscal year 2006 would fund testing of only 40,000 animals.


but naught to worry the Feds probe won't go to deep. smirk and the beef barons will see to that.

She said she would never eat a hamburger again. The only red meat I eat is certified organic. No more burgers and steaks when eating out. Only occasionally at home, from organic sources. They covered up Mad Cow big-time at the Garden State racetrack cluster, et al.